Feburary 1926

Seagoe Parish Magazine.

FEBRUARY, 1926.

CLERGY :

Rev. Canon Archer, B.D., The Rectory, Seagoe,

Portadown.

Rev. R. W. Johnston, L.Th., 51 William Street

Portadown.

CHURCHWARDENS :

Mr. Robert Price (Rector's).

Mr. Thomas Martin (People's).

The Magazine.

We regret very much that many were unable to

get copies of the January issue of the Magazine.

The usual number were on sale, but the demand for

copies was greater than usual. We would again

suggest that the best way to make sure of getting

your copy of the Magazine is to become an annual

subscriber. This can be done by paying 2s in

advance to the local distributor. It will ensure that

you will without fail get your copy of the Magazine

each month. There is always something of special

interest each month in the Magazine, and very often

when you want to get a copy of it to read for your-

self or to send to a friend you find that all the copies

have been sold off. If you are a Parishioner of

Seagoe and interested in the past and present history

of the Parish you will certainly become a subscriber to the Magazine.

Seagoe Parish Almanack

The pretty Parish Almanac for 1926 is now on the

walls of your house. You are enjoying the bright

coloured pictures and you have carefully read the

helpful letter and notes. A verse from Scripture

is printed for each day, and before you begin the

day's work you will read it.

It will help to guide your steps each day.

Seagoe Select Vestry,

An important step was taken by the Select Vestry

at their meeting on Monday, January 11th. It was

proposed by Mr. Hugh Stoops, Hon. Treasurer,

seconded by Mr. James Twinem, that the Income of

the Rector of Seagoe be in future brought up to the

amount require by the Minimum Stipend Act of

the General Synod, that is £400 and a free house.

The resolution was carried unanimously. All the

members of the Vestry were present at the meeting.

It was decided that a second Curate be not appointed

unless the grant given by the Central Church

Committee can be increased so as to cover his income.

The raising of the Parish to the Minimum Income

under the Minimum Stipend Act will have important

Consequences for the Parish. It will no longer be

Classed as a Curacy in charge but is once again a

Parish with full rights. The income of the Rector

has hitherto been £70 below the minimum, and that

sum will now fall on the Parish finances. Hitherto

Seagoe has been the only Parish of the same size

and population in the Diocese which had not reached

the Minimum Stipend. but this reproach is now

rolled away and the Parish will no longer appear

in the Diocesan list as a Curacy in charge. The

Vestry look with confidence to the Parish to support

them in the step which they have taken in the

interests of the Parish and Diocese.

Our Losses

Death has removed from our midst during the

past Month some whose loss is deeply mourned.

Henrietta Porter, of Lower Seagoe, passed away on

January 4th after a long illness. She returned home

from Canada last June in weak health. and since

then had been growing weaker. Up to the very end

her bright faith and happy trust sustained her. We

sympathise very sincerely with her mother and

brothers, who within a little over two years have

had two sad bereavements. " Henny" Porter had

many friends. She was loved by all, and her

consecrated life will be an inspiration to many in the

days to come. Another very sad event has occurred

during the month in the death of Mrs. Rachel

Holmes, whose husband, Norman Holmes, fell in the

Great war. Since his death she never recovered

her health or spirits. The close ties of deep affection

which had existed from childhood and had been

cemented at Confirmation were so strong that the

death of one meant the death of both. During her

years of widowhood Mrs. Holmes lived only in the

memory of her sad loss. Death has united them

again in the Land where partings are unknown.

Our sympathy is extended to Mrs. Gates and the

members of her family in their bereavement.

One of our oldest parishioners passed away in the

person of Mrs. Abraham, of Kilvergan. We offer our

sincere sympathy to her aged partner, Mr. David

Abraham, and her children and grandchildren in

their affliction.

Thomas Allen, whose death occurred on the first

day of the New Year, was a brother of Mr. James

Allen and was well known to many in Edenderry,

The very large attendance at his funeral testified to

his popularity. His genial and kindly manner made

him a general favourite.

Sunday School Distribution

The following dates have been arranged for the

distribution of Sunday School Prizes:—

Drumgor—Tuesday, February 2nd, at 7-30.

Edenderry—Thursday, February 4th, at 7.

Carne—Monday, February 8th, at 7.

Seagoe—Thursday, February 11th, at 7.

SEAGOE MAGAZINE

Social and Presentation

A social meeting of Seagoe Girls' Bible Class was

held in Seagoe School on Thursday, January 21st,

at 7-30. Mr. and Mrs. Rennix had kindly invited

the members of their classes. After tea, games were

played and musical items given. During a break in

the programme the Rector announced that a

presentation was about to be made to the hosts of the

evening, Mr. and Mrs. Rennix. He called on Miss

N. Montgomery to read the address, which was as

follows:—

Canon Archer, Ladies and Gentlemen,—A very

pleasing duty devolves upon me, through the kindness

of the members of Mr. Rennix's Bible Class,

asking me to present this token of love and respect

to him and Mrs. Rennix for the great kindness they

have always shown, and the good advice they have

given to the members of their class. Their endeavour

to train us morally, socially and religiously will in

our future life be a great asset to bring and keep

us nearer to the Master Whom they both serve.

now ask Mr. and Mrs. Rennix to accept this cake

stand from their grateful class, and wish them both

long life and happiness.

Miss Montgomery then handed a handsome cake

stand to Mr. and Mrs. Rennix on behalf of their

classes. Mr. and Mrs. Rennix replied. thanking the

members for their kindness, and expressing the pleasure

and profit they experienced in teaching the

classes. Speeches were also made by the Rev. R.

W Johnston and the Rev. H. F. O. Egerton, the

newly appointed Rector of Mullabrack.

Parish Register for January.

Baptisms,

The following were Baptized in Seagoe Parish

Church on January 2nd, 1926:—

Thornton—Maureen, daughter of William John and Louisa Thornton, of Edenderry.

Sponsors—Mary Margaret Conn, Louisa Thornton.

Trainor—Ethel, daughter of James and Ellen Margaret (the late) Trainor, of Drumnagoon.

Sponsors—James Trainor, Mary Anne Armstrong.

Marriage.

Bradshaw and Ginn—Dec. 25th, 1925, at Christ Church, Lisburn,

by the Rev. R. H'. S. Cooper, M.A., James Bradshaw, of Breagh, to Mina Ginn, of Lisburn.

Burials.

Neill—Nov. 8th, 1925, Joseph Cecil Neill, of Killicomain; aged 8 months.

Allen—January 3rd, 1926, Thomas Allen, of Edenderry; aged 52 years.

Holmes—January 5th, Rachel Holmes, of Edenderry; aged 30 years.

Porter—January 6th, Henrietta Porter, of Lower Seagoe, aged 22 years.

Abraham—January 26th, Margaret Abraham, of Kilvergan; aged 86 years.

Seagoe Mothers' Union.

The members of the Mothers' Union have arranged

to attend a special Service in the Parish Church on

Wednesday, February 3rd, at 8 p.m. The Service

will take the place of the usual monthly meeting.

The Rev. H. F. O. Egerton, M.A., Rector of

ullabrack, has kindly consented to preach the sermon.

A full attendance of the members is requested.

Congratulations

We offer our hearty congratulations to Mr. David

Rock, M.B.E., J.P., on the honour which has been

conferred on him by the Urban Council of Portadown.

They have elected him as their Chairman,

the highest position to which a citizen of Portadown

can attain. It is very fitting that an Edenderry man

should occupy that position, for Edenderry is the

parent of Portadown. We, in Seagoe, are very

pleased at 'the fact that one of our most respected

parishioners has been called to fill such a leading

position. Portadown is just now at that stage in

its development when a wise head and firm hand

are needed to mould and control its growth, and

we are confident that Mr. Rock possesses the

necessary qualifications for shaping an enlightened

and beneficial policy in municipal affairs.

A Fairy Concert

The Misses Hawthorne had another very successful

concert in Edenderry on Tuesday, January 19th.

The Hall was crowded, and almost every item was

encored. The children did splendidly and were very

carefully trained. The "fairy" costumes looked very

light and pretty. Mr. Bell recited a very touching

War piece. Mabel Watters gave several splendid

pieces with great spirit and was loudly encored.

Miss Kirby sang very sweetly some of her pretty

songs. Mr. Robt. M'Clements played two violin solos

with great skill and fine expression. Miss Haire

also sang and accompanied with her usual ability.

An Irish jig danced by two young ladies was greatly

appreciated. During the evening the Parkmount

Band played with their accustomed efficiency a number

of items both popular and classical and were

loudly applauded. A closing sketch, " Waiting for

the Bus" created great merriment. The stalwart

policeman and the discontented passengers were

very much enjoyed by the audience. The proceeds

of the concert amounted to £15 and will be given

to Edenderry Sunday School Prize Fund.

ITEM

The Lurgan road within the town boundary has

been in a very muddy condition during the past

month. The mud was swept from the centre of the

road to the sides, and unfortunate cyclists had to

push through deep slush. The road is now full Of

holes, which make traffic difficult and dangerous.

In the rural district at Seagoe Church a stream of

water has or some time been flowing past the

Church gate and Churchgoers have to wade through

it.

SEAGOE PARISH MAGAZINE.

The Weekly Envelopes

Large numbers of weekly envelopes are being

brought in each Sunday and offered in the offerings.

The wet Sundays at the beginning of the year have

proved a test to our Churchgoers, but they have

not damped the enthusiasm of our worshippers, and

the congregations, though smaller owing to the

inclement weather, were not greatly diminished. Let

everyone who has taken a set of the envelopes be

careful to bring their envelopes to the Church each

Sunday.

Old Seagoe Notes,

REV. RICHARD BUCKBY, VICAR OF

SEAGOE, 1763-1796.

[The following interesting particulars relating to

the Rev. R. Buckby have been sent to us by the Rev.

H. B. Swanzy, the learned Vicar of Newry. Some

of them have only recently been unearthed from

ancient records. Mr. Swanzy discovered that the

same Buckby had been confused with Buckley, and

was able to correct the errors thus caused.]

Richard Buckby was son of John Buckby, farmer,

of Kibworte, Leicestershire. He was born at

Thornby, Northants, educated at Oakham School,

admitted pensioner at Sidney, Sussex College,

Cambridge, aged 16, 16th Jan. 1739-40 matriculated 1740,

B.A. 1743-4, M.A. 1762, ordained deacon at Norwich,

Dec., 1745. He was Prebendary of Kilmoylan (Tuam)

1762-96, and had a faculty, dated 13th June, 1763 to

hold Kilmoylan, otherwise Moylagh (Tuam) with

Seagoe. He was presented to Seagoe (vice Hugh

Tisdall, deceased) 1st June, 1763, collated 14th June,

by Edward Ledwith (Dromore Register). Collated

may mean instituted.

COLONEL BLACKER IN 1833.

The following extract from the " Belfast Guardian"

of Nov. 5th, 1833 is of interest:—

The Commission of the Peace has been withdrawn

from Colonel Blacker, of the County Armagh,

than whom a more just, upright and intelligent

magistrate cannot, in our opinion, be found in the

British Empire . Colonel Blacker has been selected as

one of the first victims to be immolated at the shrine

of Whiggery and Liberalism. This is highly

honourable to him, but the inhabitants of the district

here he resides feel indignant. But wherefore has

Colonel Blacker been removed from the magistracy?

The ostensible reason, it is said, is that some of

the ladies of his family wore orange ribands or

Orange Lilies on the 12th July. Can it be that the

Attorney General has come down in his official might

and (clad in the panoply of legal power) to battle

with a riband or a flower). No, we cannot believe

it."

OLD COIN FOUND AT BALTEAGH.

George Beattie Gracey, of Balteagh, recently dug

up an old coin or token. Only one side of it can

be deciphered. It is about the size of a two shilling

piece. The side which can be read bears the

representation of a beacon such as was erected along

the coasts before, the modern lighthouses were

invented. Around the border are printed in clear

lettering, " REGI PATRIÆQUE FIDELIS" which is

the Latin for " Faithful to King and country." The

token may have been a badge dating from the time

of Charles 11.

A Destructive Rat

Rats are very destructive animals It is said that

they destroy £70,000,000 property every year in

Great Britain alone. But a certain rat which recently

found its way into the Parish piano in Seagoe School

has, we imagine beaten the record. It apparently

got into the narrow space between the hammers and

the strings and found itself unable to get out. In

seeking a way of escape it began to gnaw through

the wooden shanks of the hammers, taking one here

and there, but finding that this was not sufficient

it cleared away three or four together, eventually

getting away through an opening from which five or

six notes had been removed. Altogether it destroyed

36 notes, leaving the piano useless. The repairs

which are being effected will cost a considerable

sum.

Men's Recreation Room

The Recreation Room continues to be used by large

numbers of men. During the month competitions

have been held for prizes kindly given as follows—

Mr. Latimer, a bag of Quaker Oats; Mr. Walsh, a

hyacinth glass and bulb; Mr. Gray, jeweller, a pen

knife. If any of our readers would send newspapers

or magazines for the Room we would be greatly

obliged. They could be left at Mr. Phillips's shop

at the corner of Foundry Street..

Church Lads' Brigade

The Brigade meets every Tuesday in the Parochial

Hall at 8 p.m. A shooting range has been fitted up.

and the boys are having a good and useful time.

SEAGOE PARISH MAGAZINE.

A Men's Social

The Annual Meeting of the members of the

Recreation Room and of the Air Gun Teams will be

held (D.Y.) in Edenderry Parochial Hall on Monday,

February 15th. Tea will be provided at 7-30. Tickets

(free) will be issued to the members through the

Captains of the Teams. A very pleasant evening

will be spent, and the work done during the season

since October 1st, will be reviewed and a programme

of future events foreshadowed. It is our hope that

the work so well begun may be extended in many

directions so that all the men may find in the Room

a centre of innocent recreation and useful pursuits.

A Sunday Attendance

On Sunday, January 3rd, a meeting for men was

held in the Recreation Room at 4-15. It was well

attended by the members. A hymn was sung, and

after prayer the Rector gave an address to the men

on " Our work in the New Year." He spoke of the

opportunities to be availed of and the shortness of

life. It is hoped from time to time to have similar

gatherings in the Recreation Room.

Levaghery Sunday School

The distribution of prizes in Levaghery School

was held on Thursday, January 28th, at 7-30. The

School was crowded. After a hearty tea, a

programme of music and recitations followed. Then

came a splendid Christmas tree, and each child got

a gift from it. The distribution of prizes followed,

and after a few words from the Rector and the Rev.

R. W. Johnston the company .separated. Much credit

is due to Mr. James Ford and his energetic band of

teachers for the good work they are doing in this

Sunday School. There are now more children at.

tending Levaghery Sunday School than probably

ever before in its long history of over 100 years.

Concert in Drumgor

A concert will be given in Drumgor Church Hall

on Tuesday, February 19th, at 8 p.m. A splendid

programme has been arranged. Tickets are now on

sale. The proceeds are on behalf of the Sunday

School Fund.

ITEMS

The recent heavy rains have flooded the Bann,

and it is now like a great lake. If the wind goes to

the north there will be record floods.

Several families have recently come to live in the

Parish from Southern Ireland. We welcome them

very heartily.

Some copies of last month's Magazine had to be

covered in a paper of different colour. Our supply

of yellow paper ran out, but we do not anticipated

any such difficulty in future.

SERVICES.

THE PARISH CHURCH

HOLY COMMUNION—1st Sunday after Morning

Prayer ; 3rd Sunday at 8 a.m., and on the Chief

Festivals.

HOLY BAPTISM—1st Saturday of Month at 3 p.m.,

and during any Service in the Parish Church.

if notice be given ; Two Sponsors at least are

required, and they must be, Confirmed members

of the Church. Churchings are held at each

Baptism. Mothers are expected to bring a thank

offering. (See Book of Common Prayer.)

MORNING PRAYER—Sundays and Chief Festivals

11.30 a.m.

EVENING PRAYER—Sundays 7 p.m., Wednesdays

8 p.m.

DISTRICT SERVICES.

Hacknahay—Last Sunday of Month at 3.30 p.m.

Drumgor-—Second Sunday of Month at 4 p.m.

CLASSES,

ADULT CLASSES--sundays at 10 a.m.

For Men—Edenderry and Seagoe. For Women

Seagoe School.

SUNDAY SCHOOLS—IO a.m. Edenderry parochial

Hall and Seagoe School. 3 p.m. Seagoe, Edenderry

Parochial Hall, Levaghery, Hacknahay

Carne, Drumgor.

Men's Recreation Room, Bridge St., open every

night from 7 p.m.

Seagoe C.L. Brigade in Edenderry Parochial Hall

on Tuesdays at 8 p.m.

Mothers' Union, Edenderry 1st Tuesday, at 4 p.m.

DAY SCHOOL—Seagoe, 9.30 a.m. Principal—Mr. S

Rennix.

MARRIAGES must be performed between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. Licenses are issued by Rev Canon Hannon,

Rectory, Lurgan. Due notice (48 hours) must be given to the Rector of intended weddings. FEES—

By License—Labourers 5/-, Tradesmen 10/-, Merchants and Farmers 15/-, Professional £l. By Banns

FUNERALS will be attended by the Clergy if proper notice be given. SICK CASES should be notified to

the Clergy without delay. FEES FOR CERTIFICATES BAPTISM, 3/7; Children (Factory), 1/- and 2/-

(non-residents) ; MARRIAGE, 3/7. An extra search fee is chargeable in certain cases

A copy of the Magazine will be sent post free to any subscriber for 3s per annum.